Soon C. Kim's Obituary
Soon Cho (“Susie”) Kim, aged 78, passed away peacefully on May 14, 2021 after a courageous battle with gastric cancer. Soon Cho is survived by her husband of 52 years, Jung Woan Kim, with whom she raised three children: Grace Hyunchu Voorhis of Hillsborough, CA, Katherine Myungchu Schlamp of Redwood City, CA, and Henry Younghoon Kim of Alameda, CA.
Born in Jinju, Korea to Yongduk Kang and Jaeyoon Choi, she was the third youngest of seven children. She is survived by her five sisters and predeceased by her brother. Soon Cho graduated from Jinju Girls High School and Pusan National University and immigrated to the United States in 1967. She resided in Westport, MA and spent 30+ years at the Newport Hospital in Rhode Island until her retirement in 2008. In 2009, she and her husband moved to California to be closer to her three children, their spouses, and ultimately, seven grandchildren.
Soon Cho’s passions were church, golf, traveling, hiking, and her family. She was a model lifelong learner for her children, with whom she learned how to play piano, ride a bike, swim, and sew. Once in California, she never missed a grandchild’s recital, culmination, athletic competition, or performance. Every weekend, she would prepare a family meal that nourished the vegetarian to the carnivores, a highlight that provided the cadence to her extended families’ lives. With her close friends and family, she soaked up experiences from around the world – from Macchu Pichu to the Tyrolean Alps, Costa Rica to Croatia, Africa to Cambodia – and published articles about her travels.
An enthusiastic community volunteer, she was loved, admired, and respected by all. She will be forever remembered for her radiant smile, joy of life, faith, kindness, happiness, and generosity.
Memorial contributions may be made to support Iglesias Infantil ICHTHUS in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. For 15 years, Soon Cho’s younger sister has been a missionary in Guatemala. Checks can be made to Kathy Schlamp, with a memo of Iglesias Infantil ICHTHUS, and sent to 755 Temescal Way, Emerald Hills, CA 94062.
Due to Covid restrictions, a private service will be held at the San Francisco Korean United Methodist Church on May 22, 2021 at 11 am. Live streaming is available through the church website: sfkumc.org by hitting the red “LIVE” button at the top of the page. A burial service will follow at 1:30 pm at Skylawn Memorial Park.
What’s your fondest memory of Soon?
What’s a lesson you learned from Soon?
Share a story where Soon's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Soon you’ll never forget.
How did Soon make you smile?